TTP spokesperson, speaking from an undisclosed location, told the media that the target of the attack was Deputy Speaker of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Khushdil Khan because he was assisting the local peace committees in combating the militants.

Khan was present at the funeral ceremony but escaped unhurt minutes before the bomber exploded his suicide vest.

Station House Officer (SHO) Abid confirmed the suicide attack and said that around 6kg of explosives and ball bearings were used in the attack, the remains of the bomber were also recovered.

A vehicle and a motorcycle were also destroyed in the blast, and the officials initially speculated that the bomb might have been planted on the motorcycle.

Eyewitness Zafar who was admitted at the Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) told The Express Tribune that the timing of the funeral was altered and the funeral took place at least 15 minutes before its time

“After the funeral prayers were offered, we left the ground and then an explosion took place. There were body parts strewn all around,” Zafar said.

Police officials said that the funeral was of a woman who was ‘mistakenly’ killed when a bullet from her son’s pistol was fired yesterday. Sources added that a cousin of the deputy speaker was also killed in the attack.

“The attack is a reaction of the security forces operation in Khyber Agency,” said Deputy Speaker Khan while speaking to the media.

The MS of Lady Reading Hospital Rahim Jan Afirdi told journalists that 31 injured had been brought to the hospital.

“The condition of five people is critical,” he said and confirmed that there were thirteen dead bodies at the hospital.

The attack comes at a time when security forces killed around 39 militants in Bara, Khyber Agency in an operation that lasted for many hours. Four security personnel including an officer were killed in the battle.

The outskirts of Peshawar have more than often been a battleground between the security forces aided by the Lashkar and the militants. Thirty seven people were killed and more than 50 were injured when a suicide bomber targeted a funeral procession in March last year in Adezai.

“The attack is a reaction of the security forces operation in Khyber Agency,” said Deputy Speaker Khan. Then why kill innocents who are already in pain of losing their near ones. These terrorists are cowards, they cannot face their real foes but target innocents, women and children. If you are fighting in the name of Islam, sorry terrorists, we do not want this type of Islam.

Though I am no fan of Musharraf I feel the time has come to bring him back and give him his ‘gaddi’. He is the only person who can control Pakistan. The bloodshed of innocent people has to be stopped. The present government has failed miserable. The common man has become a destitute. It is time to save Pakistan from disintegrating.

First of all how was that woman ‘accidentally’ shot? Did the police investigate the son for manslaughter?
Secondly what kind of low-life disgusting people will attack a funeral. Taliban are cowards. They will have to go into their graves one day as well what will they answer to God? Attacking a funeral is the worst thing those can do.Recommend

The whole claim/responsibility of the attack is based on a phone call from undisclosed location, and yet we don’t try to find it. The news clearly says: “..TTP spokesperson, speaking from an undisclosed location, told the media..” How on earth can any place be undisclosed in satellite monitored world. Why can’t they trace the call and send drone there?? All TTP attacks in the past were claimed from undisclosed location and they were never traced… Aren’t undisclosed locations’ claims raise doubts on its authenticity???

@Pashtun voice:
If you knew what people can use to make explosives you’d know that’s almost impossible. Here’s one hint for one part. The number two. Try the law enforcement and actually viewing reality over listening to and allowing religious hate rallies.Recommend